The council of mayors at the MRC de Beauharnois-Salaberry has introduced new rules for the development of potential wind-energy projects in connection with an anticipated call for tenders from Hydro-Quebec.
The draft bylaws, which aim to strengthen the conditions for the development of wind farms, were adopted during the regular monthly meeting on March 18. The council moved to repeal an existing interim control bylaw in place since 2007 concerning the implantation of wind turbines. This will be replaced with a new bylaw which amends the land use and development plan to regulate future wind projects.
This initiative, which was launched by the MRC two years ago, fulfills a government requirement to incorporate provincial guidelines (OGAT, or Orientations Gouvernementales en Aménagement du Territoire) when revising land use and development plans.
A public consultation on the new regulatory framework will take place at 7 p.m. on April 29 at the community hall in Saint-Étienne-de-Beauharnois before a final version of the bylaw is adopted. In the meantime, the council of mayors has imposed an immediate ban on wind energy projects throughout the territory.
A statement issued by the MRC refers to the draft bylaw as “a clear land-use framework based on current best practices to guide the development of potential wind energy projects in compliance with government conditions while respecting residents’ quality of life.”
The bylaw establishes compatible areas for the implantation of both commercial turbines and those for private use. Once the bylaw enters effect, commercial turbines will be required to be installed at a minimum distance of 700 metres from residences and any other sensitive land use. Other minimum distances will also apply, particularly for certain types of infrastructure and roadways. Wind turbines will also be prohibited from certain areas of ecological interest and woodlands, regional parks, and historical and culturally significant sites.
“The MRC needed to establish a clear, consistent, and rigorous framework for potential wind energy projects. Maintaining a minimum distance of 700 meters from residential areas and identifying new suitable areas are crucial elements for balancing the quality of life of our citizens with the potential opportunities for our region,” says Miguel Lemieux, the prefect for the MRC de Beauharnois-Salaberry and mayor of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield.
The draft bylaw also includes noise-related requirements, with thresholds based on time of day, as well as an engineer-certified acoustic study. A principle of reciprocity will also be established requiring new land use projects to consider minimum distances when a wind turbine already exists, leading to more consistent planning over time.
The MRC du Haut-Saint-Laurent has also begun the process of revising its land use and development plan as required by the new provincial guidelines. The MRC confirms analyses are currently underway, and public consultations focused on the development of wind energy potential will take place in the coming months.
“We are embarking on this process with a commitment to transparency and dialogue. Our responsibility is twofold: to comply with government requirements, and to protect the quality of life in our communities. The upcoming consultations will be essential for hearing from our communities and informing our collective decisions,” said Yves Métras, the prefect for the MRC du Haut-Saint-Laurent and Franklin’s mayor.
The public consultations will emphasize wind development in the context of the region’s unique characteristics and the social acceptability of this energy sector. The MRC will present available information, and community concerns will be used to inform elements of the resulting policy, including important components such as separation distances for turbines, for example.
Throughout this process, the MRC’s existing interim control bylaw will remain in effect, which effectively ensures no wind turbine project can be established before a new bylaw is adopted.